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A quarter think apps will allow people to chat with pets in the next five years

TORONTO,
Dec. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians are not only embracing the technology that keeps them connected, but they clearly depend on it. Twenty-eight per cent would be willing to skip their morning coffee in exchange for anytime, anywhere internet. And it's not just smartphones, tablets and computers keeping them connected - Canadians are already heavy users of accessories and customized apps, and expect technology to be even more integrated into their lives within the next five years.

According to the latest Rogers Innovation Report, commissioned by Rogers Communications and conducted by Harris-Decima, Canadians are optimistic about the future; from virtual butlers to communicating with pets, they envision a world where technology will unleash a connected reality beyond one's imagination. Nearly half (39%) of Canadians believe virtual communication will replace face-to-face interactions and half (50%) expect to converse exclusively through text, social media and email in the next five years.

"Enhanced networks are leading to a rise in internet usage in
Canada, creating 'Generation D' - a group that lives and breathes life through mobile devices and that shares an optimistic view of what's next," said Raj Doshi, senior vice-president, products, Rogers Communications. "Over the next few years, technology will continue to shift into high gear, offering consumers completely personalized connected experiences anytime, anywhere."

Canadians are becoming a Device Generation or 'Generation D'. Today, the majority (52%) owns a smartphone and they're not letting go, spending an average of 70 per cent of the day with their phone within reaching distance. Social media on smartphones reached new heights this year, with a quarter (25%) of Canadians admitting to Tweeting or Facebooking someone while in the same room; not surprisingly, over half (52%) of Gen Y tapped into this trend. Canadians also had quite the 'app-etite' in 2013; their smartphones and tablets included a buffet of twenty-five apps on average. Some of the most popular apps were Snapchat for Gen Y (46%) and Facebook (74%) for the majority of Canadians.